by Janette Oke and Davis Bunn
Review by Joleen Hevner
I’ve resisted historically-based biblical fiction because, generally speaking, I don’t like people telling me things that are assumed or that MIGHT have happened which simply aren’t in the bible.
However, reluctantly I went ahead and read The Centurion’s Wife because I’m a Janette Oke fan. Well, I’m still hesitant to read other books of this sort, but I’m in no way hesitant to say that this one was FANTASTIC! It is clearly fiction, but there was amazing research and author understanding of biblical events during the time frame in which the book is written, which is directly after Christ’s death through his ascension and Pentecost.
The main characters are Alban (the Centurion who sent for Jesus to heal his beloved servant) and Pilate’s niece, Leah, who Pilot plans to give to Alban. They don't know each other, but Alban hoped her status as Pilot’s niece would further his career. Leah is resentful of this, does NOT want to get married, and would rather remain the maid to Pilot’s wife (Procula) for the rest of her life.
A plot is devised by Pilot and Herod for Alban to find out about Jesus’ missing body and whether the followers are starting a revolt, all in order for Alban to gain Leah as his wife.
At the same time Procula is sending Leah out to find similar information from Jesus' followers by infiltrating their group. She develops relationships with Mary Magdalene and sisters Martha and Mary and seems to fit in well with the disciples. She’s up-front about why she’s asking questions, and they are all okay with it.
Both of these investigations lead Alban and Leah surprisingly toward each other and toward life-changing information and decisions.
The Centurion's Wife starts out slow as you try to figure out the characters and what they are doing, but it’s worth getting through the first couple chapters to see what happens to them.
At least two more books are written by these two authors in this series (Acts of Faith Series) and I’m looking forward to devouring them.
BOOKS BY JANETTE OKE AND DAVIS BUNN AVAILABLE AT AMAZON
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